NOVEMBER 11/23-11/25 Thanksgiving Holiday (Student/Teacher Holiday) DECEMBER 12/13 School Board Meeting 12/16 Last Day for Students / Elementary Early Release 12/17 Teacher Records Day 12/19-12/30 Winter Break for Students & Teachers JANUARY, 2012 1/2 Teacher Work Day / Student Holiday 1/3 Students Return to Classes     View complete calendar   STAY CONNECTED Sign up as a fan of Plano ISD on Facebook to view ongoing district news, school updates, photos, interviews and videos. You can also become a fan of Plano ISD Alumni. Follow Plano ISD on twitter to receive district news in brief text updates. You can also follow our senior high schools on twitter: PESH | PSHS | PWSH

Top Story Have weekend plans this holiday season? Consider letting our students entertain you. Plano ISD band, choir, orchestra and theatre students are fine tuning their crafts and are ready to showcase their talents. Performance Schedules | Fine Arts Video Medley

Other News Holiday Greeting Card Art Contest: Judges' Top Picks Featured in Video "Holiday Joy" was the theme for Plano ISD's holiday greeting card art contest this season. Judges selected their top 24 favorite artworks, including four finalists and the winner's art which will print on the cover of PISD's and sponsor Webb&Webb Attorneys' holiday greeting cards. Enjoy our video featuring judges' top picks. PSHS Performing Arts Center Named in Honor of Dr. Doyle Dean Plano Senior High School faculty, staff and students honored former Principal Dr. Doyle Dean with the naming of the school's newly-remodeled performing arts center. Dr. Dean attended the November 3 ceremony with his wife, children and grandchildren by his side. 'Diversity Leadership Award' Nominations Due on December 9 The Diversity Advocacy Committee is seeking award nominations through December 9 for its annual Diversity Leadership Awards, which will be presented during Plano ISD's Martin Luther King, Jr., Tribute event in January, 2012. Read more, and download the registration form online.

School Board Update

November 15 Work Session ~ Trustees conducted a work session on Tuesday, November 15, approving class size waivers as recommended by district administration and hearing and discussing reports on an IB academy and a bond program update and facility overview. View the full November 15 work session agenda, including links to supporting documents, on BoardBook. Trustees Join School Finance Lawsuit Against State of Texas Also at their November 15 meeting, school trustees voted unanimously to join with other Texas public school districts in a lawsuit against the State of Texas. The school board passed a resolution retaining the services of Haynes and Boone, LLP, in its efforts to challenge the state school finance system. The district asserts that the current system and level of funding impair the education available to students within the district as well as the ability of the district to provide adequate education to students.

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Doug Otto, Superintendent of Schools Karla Oliver, Executive Director for Government and Community Relations Lesley Range-Stanton, Director for Communications Mary Gorden, Communications Specialist / eNews Editor To unsubscribe, log onto the elist Web site at http://elist.pisd.edu and go to the Summary page and select the unsubscribe option. (Note: In order to change your e-mail address, you must first unsubscribe and then re-subscribe using your new e-mail address.)